Rajasthan, the 'Land of Princes’, is full of monuments to its warrior past. The imposing forts of Jodhpur and Jaipur bear testament to the battles that once raged here, whilst the palaces in Udaipur, Fatehpur Sikri and the Taj Mahal offer a softer side to North India's rich history. As well as exploring these historic landmarks we also stay in the charming town of Bundi, exploring its blue alleyways, forts and hillside lake, and every year we run a special departure to visit the world-famous Pushkar Camel Fair.

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Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

For those who are on the flight inclusive package we land in Delhi in the morning and transfer to the hotel where we will meet the other members of the group. In the afternoon we visit the walled city of Old Delhi; crowded, full of activities and still influenced by the great Mughals who once ruled from the ramparts of the majestic Red Fort. We visit Jama Mosque - built in 17th century and the largest mosque in India and Rajghat - the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. We will also see India Gate and the vast colonial buildings as we navigate around the city.Standard Hotel

Day 3

Today we will transfer to Agra (approx. 5 hrs drive) and in the afternoon visit the imposing Red Fort of Akbar, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan.Standard Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 4

A very early start to see the incredible spectacle of the sunrise over the Taj Mahal. The Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631, built the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal. The Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first time visitor; the white marble exterior changes colour according to the position of the sun during the day and is matched by the rich interior detail. After our visit it's time to leave Agra and drive to Ranthambore National Park. On the way we visit Fatehpur Sikri which is the Emperor Akbar's deserted royal city. This impressive and well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the blessing of a local Moslem holy man correctly predicted the birth of a longed-for son, his successor the Emperor Jehangir. The mosque, designed to hold ten thousand worshippers, the palaces, residences and halls of audience are all made of decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years, as in 1584 Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri to secure his outlying territories, leaving this city much as we see it today - in perfect condition. This is another very full but rewarding day (approx. 7/8 hrs drive).Standard Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 5

Today is more relaxed as we take two game drives into Ranthambore National Park. The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974 became part of Project Tiger. Sadly, after initial success, poaching has drastically reduced the tiger population. However, Ranthambore is still considered one of the best places to spot tigers in the wild and many Exodus groups over the last few years have seen the elusive predator. Tiger aside, Ranthambore is also home to a great variety of wildlife such as several species of monkey, deer, crocodile, birdlife, and together with the scenery, make the visit well worth it.Standard Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 6

Today we leave Ranthambore and drive to Bundi. Bundi is a delightful town, with a rustic setting, that stands on the foothills of the Azavali Mountains. Bundi is especially famous for its palaces and the beautifully decorated stepwells that back in the 15th and 18th century were used to collect water during the monsoon season. In the afternoon we visit the Bundi Fort, arguably one of the most beautiful palaces in India, home to outstanding miniature paintings portraying the history of the palace and its royal family. The fort is set high on a hill overlooking Bundi and its Krishna blue stonewashed houses. (Approx. 4 hrs drive)Standard Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 7

Today we set off on our 145 mile journey to Udaipur. Known as 'The Pearl of Rajasthan', the 'City of Sunrise' and 'Venice of the East', Udaipur is a beautiful place regarded by both Indians and travellers as the most romantic city in India. (Approx. 5 hrs drive)Comfortable Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 8

Situated on the east side of Lake Pichola, the main palace commands an unsurpassed view across the shimmering lake to the dusty Aravalli Hills with the luxurious Lake Palace hotel adding to the scene. Lake Pichola has two islands, each with a palace to rival that on the mainland; Jag Mandir and Jag Nivas (the latter is now the Lake Palace Hotel) rise out of their own reflections in the waters of the lake. Udaipur is surrounded by a massive bastion with five gates and dominating the town is the City Palace of the Maharana. The sumptuous apartments are decorated with multi-coloured mosaics, elaborate mirror work and inlaid tiles; half of these can be visited as the current Maharaja still occupies the rest of the palace. We spend the morning visiting the City Palace and Jagdish Temple, with a huge black stone image of Jagannath, an aspect of Lord Vishnu. If time allows it may be possible to visit the gardens of Gulab Bag or take a boat trip on the lake. The afternoon is free to enjoy this evocative city.Comfortable Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 9

Following the scenic road out of the beautiful lakeside town of Udaipur we head towards Jodhpur. On the way we stop and visit the stunning 15th Century Jain Temple at Ranakpur. The main temple, beautifully carved from marble, is dedicated to Adinath. It has 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, each delicately carved with a different design. Jodhpur was founded by the Rajput chief Roa Jodha and was formerly the capital of the State of Marwar. The city is surrounded by an immense wall almost ten kilometres in circumference and is dominated by the massive fort that stands on a rocky hill commanding the surrounding desert. (Approx. 7 hrs drive)Standard Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 10

First thing in the morning we will visit the magnificent Meherangarh Fort from where you will have a great view of the blue houses, painted to distinguish them as those of Brahmins. The fort itself looks massive from the outside but inside there is an impressive collection of finely carved sandstone screens and lattice windows, and the palaces themselves are very finely decorated. We then head to Pushkar, pilgrimage town and home to the annual Pushkar Camel Fair. Steeped in mysticism and surrounded by the desert this little town is a holy site on the fringes of a lake. This is a great place to relax and soak up the atmosphere. (Approx. 6 hrs drive)Comfortable Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 11

In the morning we do some sightseeing; in the centre of town is holy Pushkar lake surrounded by a number of temples including the famous Bramha temple said to be the only temple in the world dedicated to this deity. A dip in the waters of Pushkar Lake and worship at Bramha temple ensure salvation. In the afternoon we drive to Jaipur. (Approx. 3 hrs drive)Standard Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 12

A day of sightseeing. The 'Pink City' of Jaipur is one of the most attractive and colourful cities in India. Rajah Jai Singh decided to abandon his nearby fortress and palace at Amber in 1727 and laid out a planned city of broad avenues, built of sandstone and painted pink at a later stage. In the centre of Jaipur is the City Palace, formerly the residence of the Maharaja, it is now a fine museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings, royal garments and weapons. Close to the palace is one of the most intriguing sights of India, the observatory of Jai Singh. This is an assembly of immense astronomical instruments made of marble and brass set in a pleasant garden. We will also see Jaipur's impressive landmark, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds. A few miles from the main city is the splendid Amber Palace, rising above a lake. The imposing hilltop fort contains large courtyards and interiors with fine decorations including inlaid alabaster panels and a Chamber of Mirrors. Jaipur is a centre of many handicrafts, such as durries (woven rugs), carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones, leatherwear etc.; it will be difficult to leave a workshop without buying anything!Standard Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 13

Today we drive back to Delhi (approx. 5-6 hrs). Once back in Delhi you are free to relax, explore the sites of New and Old Delhi (an optional sightseeing trip will be organised if you wish) or you can do some last minute shopping.Standard Hotel

If your trip visits Ladakh, in the very north of India, or Sikkim in the northeast, do not mention this on your Indian visa application. This can sometimes slow down or even cause the embassy to reject your visa.

When you reach immigration, you are required to pick up an immigration form. If you have an e-visa, ensure you stand in the correct queue - please follow the signs to the e-visa booth (in Delhi this is at the back of the immigration hall). You will need to fill out an additional form at the booth - please make sure that you have the details of your start hotel ready (these details can be found on your Final Joining Instructions).

Vaccinations

India

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Some of our India trips spend time at altitude. In regions over approx. 2000m, there is low to no risk of mosquito-borne diseases. For trips going to altitudes of over 3000m there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please see the TRIP NOTES for further information.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts included.

You should allow at least £13-15 (approx. US$20-25) per day for lunch and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants most of the time, you will spend more than the suggested amount. Where meals are not supplied, our group leaders always encourage people to try local restaurants and street food vendors. They can make recommendations which will help boost small businesses and celebrate local specialties. In Jaipur, Udaipur and Delhi, clients can even see how the food is made e.g. masala chai (tea), samosa (mashed potato snacks), jalebe (Indian doghnuts), lassi (yoghurt drink). In most of the towns there is a good choice of restaurants and a choice between Indian and Western style food. If you are a vegetarian, India is probably one of the best destinations to travel to. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large!) bottle of beer is approximately £3 (approx. US$5). Mineral water is available in the bus in 20ltr containers. Please bring a water bottle with you to refill. Please note that service in restaurants can be quite slow.

Weather

Is this trip for you?

Activity Level: 1 (Leisurely). The roads are generally pretty good, but local traffic and/or road damage after the monsoon can sometimes slow us down. We travel mainly on comparatively quiet roads for at least half of the journey. The tour is not overly demanding, but some of the days can be busy, where travelling is combined with sightseeing. Lots of sightseeing is combined with the chance to explore on your own two feet. In Ranthambore National Park tiger spotting is from a large open truck called a 'canter'. Longer distances are covered by private bus. Longer travelling days should take around six to seven hours but delays are possible and journey times can increase. At times it can be quite hot and dusty (except December) and the bustle of the Indian cities can be tiring. This trip does involve a lot of time on the road; however, this gives you the perfect opportunity to see the diversity of one of India's most colourful states.

Please note that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are responsible for the conservation of many monuments in India, including the Taj Mahal, and very occasionally this may mean that work is taking place at sites visited on this trip. The ASI’s schedule is never published so it is not possible to forewarn our clients of when work will be taking place.

Holi and Diwali Festivals

Some departures will be in India during the festivals of Holi and Diwali. They are great festivals to witness and some very minor itinerary alterations may be made locally in order to make the most of these occasions. Holi celebrations typically involve people throwing coloured water at each other and smearing powder on each other's faces. This is accompanied by dancing, music and traditional Holi sweets such as Ghujiya and Bhanng. It's a riot of colours as the powder bursts into the sky. During Diwali, the festival of lights, people typically light up their houses, shops and streets, and celebrate on the streets with fireworks.

Pushkar Camel Fair

Some departures will be in Pushkar during the festival. These are marked on the website.

Accommodation

Hotels

You will spend 12 nights in hotels, all en suite. These hotels are mostly standard city tourist hotels. Service and amenities are generally adequate.

Please be aware that the hotels in Delhi are increasingly busy and difficult to book. They are also incredibly expensive and do not compare well to other areas of India. Because of overbooking hotels can cancel bookings and it is not unusual for our hotel to change or for any extra accommodation before or after the trip to be in an alternative hotel. We hope that you understand this situation is beyond our control.

Reviews

Colours of Rajihstan

The trip was good, but very fast paced with very little time for any relaxation. We were extremely well looked after and the standard of the hotels were good. The palaces , forts and temples were amazing and we had a local guide to explain all about them, which kept it interesting. The mini safari was good and we had excellent sittings of tiger in the wild. The downside of the trip was the bad air pollution, in all towns, but particularly bad in Delhi . The amount of rubbish in the streets was awful and everywhere which was not good to look at constantly .The standard restaurants and the food in them was very good, and the restaurants were well chosen.
The guide we had was amazing and made the trip really good, by putting in little extra options, like palm reading and henna tattoos.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Seeing Tigers in the wild.
The town of Udipur was very beautiful and enjoyed the boat trip on the lake.

What did you think of your group leader?

The group leader was excellent, very professional and knowledgeable. He was patient and kind and went out of his way to make sure everything was arranged and timely. He also was honest and humorous. He made the trip excellent.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Make sure to have warm clothes for mini safari as it really is cold in the early morning on the back of open air trucks.
Take plenty of hand sanitizer.
Take cash to change while over there as it can be arranged very easily in the hotels, a lot of the ATM cash points dont work or are empty and queuing to use them is not great.
Take plenty of over the counter medicine with you , in case of stomach upsets, as there are a lot of long drives.
Read up on Hindu gods etc before you go as it would make the culture more understandable.

Brilliant experiance for any one wanting to see Northern India

If you want to see India and experience Indian culture in a small way i cant recommend exodus travels enough, after a lot of searching and investigation i booked my holiday / trip with Trail Finders whom recommended Exodus. I chose the colour of Rajastan tour as it covered everything i wanted to see in a short period of time.
I was not disappointed, upon arrival at Delhi International airport i was met by Ronit the Tour leader, he took me to a taxi to take me to the hotel in the centre of New Delhi, explianing that we would leave the hotel at approx 1pm as there was still another flight coming n later, the Taxi driver was friendly and the transfer was included, I checked into the hotel, showered and changed and went for a walk onto the small street outside the hotel, the local shops and market was just 100 meters from the hotel, Met up with the rest of the group at 1 for our tour around Delhi, what an experience, Seeing India Gate, etc. This is a truly brilliant trip, I wont spoil the rest for you but it got better by the day highlighting with the final city of Jaipuir
I would recommend this to everyone, however you have to be reasonable fit expect to walk about 2 to 5 miles each day up steep hills and steps, the Indian Roads are not brilliant once off the main highways and can be very bumpy and rough.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The Amber Fort in Agra is superb a splendid and insperational place to visit. For me personally the whole trip was insperational.
Having a meal cooked by our Guide in Jaipur in his home, with his family, it was a very special moment.

What did you think of your group leader?

Ronit the group leader was a brilliant host, looking after out group, ensuring our safety, enjoyment and culture of India, he is a credit to Exodus Travel, could not recommend him enough to anyone.
Ronit ensured that all the tips at the hotels, tour guides, travel expenses were paid for ensuring that we could enjoy the experience / holiday with out having to worry about having to tip every one.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Pack light, for warm weather, remember to take comfortable travelling clothes as well as sturdy walking shoes, some of the paths and steps upto the palaces, Forts etc are steep and slippery from use
Dont take photos when you aren't supposed too, certain forts and palaces dont allow photos in certain rooms and your camera can be confiscated and you may be fined.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Go and experience India with Exodus, hopefully you will get Ronit as your group leader

A wonderful experience of Northern India

This trip was a wonderful taster of all that Rajasthan had to offer. Travelling long distances, although tiring, meant that experiencing all of Rajasthan was possible. From the bustling of Delhi to the calm of Ranthambore, this trip will have something for everyone.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

I loved the Taj Mahal, which is a wonderful memorial to love and a beautiful sight. However, it was also wonderful to visit India during Holi, a bright and colourful festival.

What did you think of your group leader?

Ronit was a wonderful tour leader who ensured that everyone was happy throughout the trip. He couldn't have done more for us throughout the trip.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The days are long on this trip and there is a lot of travelling. The trip notes are quite accurate, but don't underestimate how hard 5-6 hours on a coach may be for you. However, the view out of the window is always interesting in India.

A Sensory Extravaganza!

A fantastic introduction to this amazing country. The food, the people, the history, the sights, the sounds....my senses were constantly bombarded with new experiences at every turn. India had been on my travel bucket list for a long time and it did not disappoint...I'm already planning to go back!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The Taj Mahal is simply breathtaking - most definitely the highlight of the trip.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Take some entertainment for the long bus journeys although there is usually plenty to look at as you pass through the villages and towns. The evenings and early mornings can be surprisingly chilly during the winter months so take a jacket. Hat and gloves are also a good option for the very early game drive in Ranthambore National Park.

Colours of Rajasthan

A complete assault on the senses! As an ex-travel agent and very much an independent traveller, I was a little hesitant about an organised tour. However, for first timers to India, a small group tour is a brilliant way to fit everything in. Yes, it was a whistle stop tour, but was a wonderful introduction to India. I loved the way Indian people kept asking for photographs with us, and struck up conversations. Only one issue..... where do we go next?

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The Taj Mahal, of course, but at the end of our holiday, Ronit fitted in a trip to a Sikh temple. I thought by then I was templed, palaced and fortressed out, but I found the place so uplifting.

What did you think of your group leader?

Ronit, our guide, was calm, funny and knowledgeable, but also gave us plenty of quiet time on the long journeys. Hence, we could absorb what was going on about us on the streets and passing through the villages.... or sleep!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Although the trip says leisurely, be aware that many temples and fortresses have lots and lots of steps, so you do need to be reasonably fit. Remember, in most places you only stay one night, so there is no point in taking too many clothes with you, you will never find them in your case. There is time about half way through the trip to send them to the hotel laundry.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Colours of Rajasthan

This was our first trip to India and it provided a fascinating introduction. It is aptly named. The colours are truly amazing. Even though some of the journeys were long, there was almost always something interesting to observe from the window.The itinerary was full and the local guides very informative, as was our tour leader. We had a very friendly group, a great tour leader, lots of good food and are already thinking of planning our next holiday in India!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

There were so many - the obvious ones like the Taj Mahal, but also Bundi, where we were away from the tourist trail, drank the most delicious masala tea and wandered through the market, after visiting an abandoned fort, much loved by our local guide. The colours in the markets and the beautiful artwork . The people , who were unfailingly polite, the traffic , riding in tuk-tuks, the wedding processions in the streets - apparently it was an 'auspicious time' to get married!

What did you think of your group leader?

Ajay looked after us very well. He was very informative about all aspects of Indian life and answered our questions in detail and with good humour. It was good to hear someone speak so positively about the future of his country. He was always attentive to the group's needs,particularly in the search to find a working ATM! He organised a few extras - e.g. the Sikh temple in Delhi and the Midnight Gardens in Agra. He went out of his way to organise a trip to the cinema for four of us. His obvious love of his country and his pleasure in sharing it with us, shone throughout our trip.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The weather was unseasonably cold at the beginning of our trip, so would recommend taking warm clothes if going in January - especially for sleeping, as hotels have no heating! Be prepared for long bus journeys and take something to listen to - can be quite bumpy for reading! Those with back problems might want to reconsider the ride in the cantor . It was particularly bumpy and one of our group was incapacitated the next day.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would suggest missing out the trip to the jewellers in Jaipur. It was not sufficiently interesting to warrant the time spent there. Add the Sikh temple to the itinerary in Delhi - it was wonderful.

Colours of Rajastahn

I thought this was an excellent trip, designed to the highest standards I have come to expect from Exodus. It has a fantastic itinerary of fascinating places, forts and temples, supported by good accommodation. It is rightly designated 'Leisurely' as very little walking is involved, and personally I would have liked a bit more exercise, but there are some long journeys which may be a consideration for some travellers.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Of course the Taj Mahal is an obvious answer, but I particularly valued an unscheduled stop at Chittorgarh Fort, on the initiative of our Tour Leader - full marks! This is an astonishingly large complex, and I recommend it for formal inclusion in future trips, as it broke the long journey. Consequently, we could only spare a couple of hours, but I hope to return and spend several days there.

What did you think of your group leader?

GAJRAJ - is a first class professional, completely on top of his game. He has excellent command of English (not his language!) and has a good sense of our British humour. I am sure there must have been admin. issues along the way, that Gaj dealt with quietly and efficiently on his mobile phone.
In particular, there was a 'Cash Crisis', which Gaj went to exceptional lengths to manage around, for example, touring one town on the back of someone's motorbike to find a working ATM - thank you very much - it took much of the stress out of a difficult situation.
Gaj also facilitated three of us visiting Ranthambore Fort during some free time, which is tantalisingly visible from the National Park, with many temples and buildings. We greatly appreciated this, and felt it was better use of our time than a second Game Drive, so we recommend it should become an optional alternative.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Just be aware, there are some long journeys. Also that it was very cold, doing the early morning Ranthambore safari, so take plenty of warm clothes (e.g. layers, hats and gloves.)

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I was disappointed that no hot water was available on any of the occasions when I needed it, at the Ranthambore Lodge. It is otherwise a pleasant enough venue, with an 'outdoor feel'. It was also distinctly chilly in my room with no heating available (easily fixed, I'd have thought.) I caught a persistent cold afterwards.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Colours of Rajasthan

While some days on this trip were truly exceptional, there are days that could be removed and the trip would not suffer. The sightseeing around Delhi was disappointing as most of it was viewed from the bus. Pushkar may be a good place to visit during the camel fair, but the fair was not on during my visit and I found Pushkar to be a waste of a day. The extra day would be better spent in either Udaipur or Jaipur.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The Taj Mahal at sunrise is breathtaking, the Victory Tower at Chittorgarh is a beautiful example of ornate carving, and there are no words to describe the experience of seeing two tigers in their natural habitat in Ranthambore. I would also have loved more time to explore the Observatory of Jai Singh, which is an absolute masterpiece of engineering.

What did you think of your group leader?

Krishna was a good and very patient leader. His knowledge was great and he did everything in his power to ensure an enjoyable trip for everyone.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Bring a plug in mosquito repellent!! Don't bother with the optional boat trip in Udaipur, accepting a blessing or prayer at the Jain Temple will require you to open your wallet, and if you are a meat lover, prepare for a limited supply. Some eateries are vegetarian only.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This trip has a lot of long journeys on poor roads and traffic will add extra time to those journeys. Be prepared to sit for 4/5 hours at a time.

Dates & Prices

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An overview of flight options

Exodus is committed to making joining our tours as easy as possible, wherever you live. We generally only block book seats from London, but this certainly does not mean that you need to fly from there. Depending on the route and airlines available, there will usually be various options available for those who want to fly from their local airport.

This page aims to provide a useful overview of the options available to our clients. However, the best flight arrangements should be tailored to your personal requirements, so please contact our Sales team for expert advice.

What kind of options do I have ?

1. We can book for you: Flights from anywhere in the world - not via London

Depending on the route, this may be direct or via an overseas hub like Amsterdam, the Middle East or elsewhere. On short haul routes there may be direct flights with low cost airlines, charter flights or scheduled airlines. Exodus can book most, but not all, of these for you. The most appropriate airline may be different to that which we use for the group flight from London, but many people now travel on different airlines and meet up with their fellow passengers at the destination.

Pros

Cons

May be the most direct route

Often the extra fare compared to the London flight is minimal.

As you will be in the hands a single airline for your entire journey, the airline will be responsible for your bags and your connections.

You may not be able to join the group transfers. However, we can usually arrange private transfers, or book your flights to try and coincide with the group transfers. See notes on transfer arrangements below.

2. We can book for you: Connecting flights from your local airport to London

Exodus can book connecting flights to London so you can join the group flight there. Connecting times will be followed according to airline advice, or as requested by clients. There are two types of fares we can use for this option: a 'through-fare' or a 'published fare'.

a) A 'through-fare' is where you will be in the main airline's care throughout. You change planes, but your bags are checked all the way through to your final destination.

b) A 'published fare' ticket is completely seperate from your onward ticket from London. It is usually cheaper than a through-fare but will need to be paid for and issued as soon as it is booked. This can be a problem if your tour has not yet reached minimum numbers. On 'published fares' neither airline is aware that you have connecting flights, so Exodus is responsible for timing your connection, not the airlines involved. The tickets are also usually non changeable and non refundable.

Pros

Cons

Depending on the fare type, Exodus or the airline is responsible for flight connections.

Through fare tickets can be expensive.

On a published fare, tickets must be issued immediately; tickets on published fares can be very difficult to change if onward flight times change; bags are not checked though to your final destination.

Published fares are non-refundable.

3. Booking some or all of the flights yourself

You can also book connecting air travel yourself, either to London, or all the way to the start point. There may be certain airlines or routes we don't have access to, so this is always an option. However, if you make your own travel arrangements you become liable for any delays, cancellations or missed connections, and Exodus is not required to offer refunds if you have trouble reaching the start of your trip.

Pros

Cons

You might find cheaper fares, or routes not available to Exodus.

You are responsible for any delays or missed connections, and the cost of the tour is not protected should you miss your flight be cancelled.

Notes on transfer arrangements

Sometimes it is possible to travel on a different airline to the group flight from London. Where this is the case, we need to think about ensuring you meet up with the group with minimum extra cost and hassle.

On certain trips, it is easy to arrive on a different flight and still meet the group at the hotel with time in hand. We can usually arrange private transfers (at extra cost) or offer advice on taking a taxi to the start hotel.

On other trips (especially in Europe), the transfer meets the group flight and then travels some distance to the first night's accommodation. Where this is the case, our Sales team will try to arrange flights that arrive before (and depart after) the group. However, we do have to make it clear in your final documentation that if your flights are delayed, the transfer cannot wait for you. While Exodus or our local operators will do what we can to help you reach the start point of the tour, any additional costs must be paid by the client.

Next steps?

Not found the date you’re looking for? We can organise this itinerary as aPrivate Adventure– just click on the tab above the list of dates and prices, let us know your preferred dates of travel and how many people are travelling, and we’ll do the rest!

Many of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate If you book arrangements other than an ATOL protected flight or a package holiday, the financial protection referred to above does not apply. Our ATOL number is 2582 and our ABTA number is Y0751.

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